Small Business Policy Project

The purpose of the Small Business Policy Project is to improve the environment address barriers to the success of small and micro businesses in the District of Columbia. Small businesses are engines of economic growth and are a vital part of a well-functioning local economy, providing jobs and neighborhood stability.

SBPP is directed by the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED) in partnership with the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD), with input and guidance from a 20- member steering committee of public, private and nonprofit stakeholders. Funding for the project is provided by Citi Community Development and Citi Foundation.

Since officially launching in January 2013, the SBPP has engaged with over 200 small businesses and stakeholders who worked collaboratively to identify barriers to small business success, explore best practices around the country and locally, formulate a shared vision for the District and develop solutions to overcome the challenges. Read more about SBPP’s history.

In February, 2014, SBPP issued a report outlining more than 60 recommendations in five major categories that would propel small business success:
· Expanding and Improving Services
· Giving a Greater Voice to Small Business
· Improving Access to Information and Communication
· Increasing Financial Resources
· Expanding Economic Opportunity

This has been an unprecedented effort by small business community leaders and stakeholders in the District to come together and reach consensus on what is needed to enable small business success.

Progress report released in February 2017 on the status of implementation recommendations from spring 2014 through the end of 2016. Download the report here!

2) Forum I Summary: Small Business Policy Project, a post-session paper summarizing the discussions from the first stakeholder forum on April 5, 2013 which engaged small businesses and other stakeholders in identifying obstacles to small business success in DC.